a gift of time and memories.

We are back.  I would say that the holiday did not go as planned.  That is not a bad thing.  The weather on the mountain was very wet, wild, and wooly.  It had been under flood conditions for days as we got up there.  We actually spent Sunday night with my parents and then stayed. 

We spent the four days before Christmas preparing for my family and some of their friends to descend on my parents.  I helped decorate the tree.  We helped wrap all the presents.  I helped with shopping for prezzies.  I baked and cooked for Christmas dinner.  I helped make lefse with my Dad.  I experimented with sour cream raisin pie, trying to recreate a thirty year old memory and I am very close.  It was a Christmas of experiences, laughter, love, and memories.  It was what I always hope for Christmas to be and so lovely when it happens. 

Which is why I spend so much of my time at my sewing machine in December making gifts.  I usually cannot be their but I can give something I have made.  One request I received was for linen hand towels.

I started out with a piece of linen 18 inches by 30 inches.  I did some research and found that is the largest size of hand towel.  I then hemmed each side.  The biggest problem was just finding some nice linen.  A weight that would wash and wear well.

Then, folded, rolled, and tied.  Into a box and shipped.  I actually have a lot more sewing to do to finish prezzies but I find everyone enjoys to have the holiday extended.  Surprises in the mail.  I got to do my favorite part with my parents, the preparation. 

That is a gift.